//------------------------------// // Chapter Thirteen // Story: The Ghost of Cozy Glow // by SapphireRose87 //------------------------------// The next morning the sunlight poured into my room blinding me, and I put my arm over my eyes to block out the sun. “Betty,” said Fluttershy, “I need you to get up okay?” “Why?” I said. “Because,” said Fluttershy, “Zecora and Norman are here to see you!” “What?” I said. “Yes,” said Flutershy, “Zecora wants to help fix your vision, please get dressed and come down now.”  “Okay, okay,”. I said, “I’m coming…” When I got downstairs I saw Zecora and Norman, Zecora was in the kitchen making something and Norman was sitting on the couch. What Zecora had made for me was some soup, or at least that’s what it looked like. “Wow,” said Norman, “that looks delicious!” “That’s medicine for Betty,” said Fluttershy, “I can cook you some eggs if you want?” “Thanks Fluttershy!” Norman said. “Oh it’s no problem at all…” Fluttershy said. “Now,” said Zecora, “eat every last drop and that double vision will surely stop.” “Sure…”. I said. I took a bit of the soup and gagged because it didn’t taste good at all. “That’s not a good face.” Norman said. “The taste must be bad…” Fluttershy said. I ate the soup as fast as I could, just to get it over with. After I ate a half hour later my double vision stopped and went back to normal. “How do you feel?” Fluttershy said. I blinked, “Better, I think…” “How many fingers am I holding up?” Norman said. “Three…” I said. Fluttershy sighed, “Oh that’s good…” “You worry too much,” I said, “I’m sure in a couple of days my vision would’ve turned back to normal.” “Your vision?” Norman said. “What’s that about?” “Why should I tell you,” I said, “can you do anything about it?” “Well no,” said Norman, “but you should tell me what happened anyway. I am your brother after all.” *    *    * Walking towards the Everfree Forest I told Norman everything that happened to me.  “Oh boy,” said Norman, “and I thought I had it bad with homework! Not to mention that the King of Hell has a crush on you. Yup, that’s not creepy at all!” “Tell me about it!” I said. “I think it’s funny that the King of Hell is actually scared of something,” said Norman, “isn’t he the highest ranking Demon in Hell?” “I think so,” I said, “unless it’s someone else, beats me.” We got to the Castle of the Two Sisters, I pulled back a branch to show the bridge to the Castle.  “Whoa,” said Norman, “that’s so cool!” “Yup,” I said, “this is where I like to come and think a lot.” “Nice…” Norman said. We stayed there for a little bit and went back to Fluttershy’s Cottage. I went into my room and sighed because there was a mountain of homework to do. *    *    * “You’re joking right?” I said. “I have to work… With… Him?” “I know you’re not very fond of Mr. Harmony,” said Princess Twilight, “but he’s the best one for the job right now. Plus Dae recommended him for the job too.” “Great!” I said. “Whose else is going to be on the team, Derpy?” “Oh no,” said Princess Twilight, “Derpy works in the mail office, you remember right?” “I was being sarcastic!” I said. I then took a couple of deep breaths, trying to calm myself down before I lost my temper. “Just remain calm okay?” Princess Twilight. “I’m calm…” I said. “I’m perfectly calm…” “Uh-oh,” said Princess Twilight, “that doesn’t look good! Just take deep breaths and count backwards from ten. You look like you’re going to pass out.”  “I’m fine!” I snapped. I did exactly as Princess Twilight said and it seemed to work. “Better,” said Princess Twilight, “you can leave now.” *    *    * “So,” said Mr Harmony, “looks like we’re going to be working together huh Betty?” “Hey I’m in charge here,” I said, “step out of line and I’ll put you in Electric Shock Therapy!” Mr. Harmony, “Look I’m sorry about that, I guess I got a little carried away with it.” “A little!” I said. “Maybe I was having too much fun.” Mr. Harmony said with a nervous laugh. “Does every man I meet have to be psychotic?” I said “Not every man is like that okay?” Mr. Harmony said. “Where’d you get that idea?” I shook my head, “Nevermind…”  We waited for the rest of the teams to arrive. I thought that fifty-five men and ponies were the total of the team. I was surprised at the size of the team but it didn’t matter at the time, because we had a job to do.  “So,” said Mr. Harmony, “what’s the plan? Caption…” I growled at him, “Don’t start with me! “Look,” said Mr. Harmony, “I know this isn’t going to be easy okay? But tracking a soul down isn’t easy either.” “You’re forgetting that I’m a Death Walker right?” I said. “I think we got this. Alright then, listen up, we’ll make teams of five and there was to be at least one Death Walker on the team, if that's possible. This should make our tracking easier. Once your teams are formed, you’ll move out in different directions only a fifteen mile radius apart going all out in Equestria. Here are your teams.” I then made a list of teams in five minutes flat. Because Mr. Harmony was recommended for the job, I had to keep him on my team. I decided for my team to check Gorgar’s cave. When we got to the cave I couldn’t sense any movement.  “I don’t sense anything yet.”  I said. “Looks like the Death Walker needs to practice her abilities more.” Mr. Harmony said. “Shut-up!” I said. “Wait there’s movement right over there at three o’ clock!” I pointed in the direction to where I sensed the movement and Mr. Harmony didn’t need to look to confirm that I was correct. There was a laugh that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. “I know you’re there!” Queen Chrysalis said. “Why don’t you come out of the shadows and play?” My team and I then stepped out of the shadows. “So,” I said, “you got me…” “I was wondering when you were going to come after me,” said Queen Chrysalis, “you guys are really slow.” “Excuse me?” Mr. Harmony said. Mr. Harmony started to charge forward but I put up a hand to stop him. “Where’s Tirek?” I said. “He got bored and went off on his own,” said Queem Chrysalis, “now are we going to have a battle or not? Oh, and if I wanted to trap you, you would be dead already.” “Ha!” I said. “I doubt you could beat me, don’t underestimate your opponent.” “Aw,” said Queen Chrysalis, “did I hit a nerve?” “And you care because?”  I said. Queen Chrysalis laughed, “Why does it matter?” “Oh brother,” I thought, “this fights going to be a stupid one. But, it can’t be helped, I have a job to do, starting with this one.” Queen Chrysalis then stood at the ready with her fighting stance. I rolled my eyes and took out my staff. “So what’s it gonna be?” Queen Chrysalis said. “You coming to me or am I going to come to you?” I sighed and gave Mr. Harmony a look, and we both nodded at each other. Then I gave some hand signals that me and Mr. Harmony had practiced earlier. The teammates moved at the ready. “What is that?” Queen Chrysalis said. “A game of rock, paper, scissors?” “None of your business,” I said, “can we just get this over with?” “Well,” said Queen Chrysalis, “somebody’s impatient today, aren’t we?” “As if you care!” I said. “Well, do you want to fight or not? Come on then!” At that moment Queen Chrysalis charged at me missed a blow as. I jumped out of the way, I then faked a yawn. “I’m getting bored here,” I said, “you’re making this way too easy!” Queen Chrysalis then charged up her horn and tried to attack me with it. I caught the attack and threw it right back at her. That sent Queen Chrysalis flying through a wall in the cave. “Interesting change of events,” said Queen Chrysalis, “no matter I don’t care!” “Oh yeah?” I said. “I’d like to see you dodge this!” I then combined my powers and took a deep breath and was able to fire bullets out of my mouth. Queen Chrysler to dodge them but I got a couple goo hits on her. “Oh please!” Queen Chrysalis said. “Is that the best you got? That was child’s play!” “You’re right,” I rolled my eyes, “then why do you look so beat up?” “Haven’t you heard of the concept?” Queen Chrysalis said. “What?” I said. “There is no pain in death!” Queen Chrysalis said. “Oh yeah?” I said. “I’d like to test that theory!” “Ha!” Queen Chrysalis said. “Go ahead and try!” “Hum…”. I said. “Thanks for the invitation!” Queen Chrysalis then took to the air and that very moment it was as if Mr. Harmony knew what to do. He handed me the same rope he used on me when he tracked me down.  “I think I have the high ground on this one here!” Queen Chrysalis said thinking she was home free. “I don’t think so!” I said. I took to the air and lassoed the rope and caught Queen Chrysalis by the tail. “Unhand me now,” said Queen Chrysalis, “I command you!” “I don’t take orders from you,” I said,”and I believe I have the high ground here!” “Here!” Teammate #3 said. “Take this before she gets away!” My teammate then tossed me a crystal prism, and I pointed the crystal at Queen Chrysalis and it sucked her into it. “You have not seen the last of me!” Queen Chrysalis screamed.  “Yeah, yeah,” I said, “whatever…” After I made sure that Queen Chrysalis was secured I caught my breath. “Well,” said Mr. Harmony, “that was easy, considering you did all the work. Why don’t we take a break and eat? Then we can head out to find Tirek?” The other tracking teams didn’t have any luck trying to find Tirek so I called it quits for the day. *    *    * “Wow,” said Fluttershy, “you did that all by yourself?” “Um,” I said, “I had some help.” “Oh don’t be modest,” said Mr. Harmony, “you did all that work yourself! I just handed you the rope. I knew you were strong but not that strong! I bet this whole mission is going to be a piece of cake!” “Thanks,” I said, “Mr. Electric Shock Therapy!” “Hey,” said Mr. Harmony, “I said I was sorry for that!” “Anyway,” I said, “I guess I got go to the Land of the Dead tonight and deliver  this to Celestia.” “Oh,” said Fluttershy, “you don’t need to do that tonight.” “And why’s that?” I said. “Dae said he wants to pay you a personal visit,” said Fluttershy, “to congratulate you on your capture of Queen Chrysalis!” “Isn’t that the King of Hell?” Mr. Harmony said. “Why that should be a great honor for you Betty!” “A creepy honor if you ask me.” I said. “Oh come on Betty,” said Fluttershy, “it might seem creepy to you but he’s actually a swell guy once you get to know him.” “Yeah,” I rolled my eyes, “swell…” “I don’t know when he’s coming over but, I’ll wait up for him until midnight.” “I better get going,” said Mr. Harmony, “I have another assignment to get to.” Mr. Harmony left and I let out a breath. I didn’t realize that I was holding my breath in the first place.  “You really think that Dae is going to appear?” I said.  “Yup,” said Fluttershy, “he keeps his word, if he says he’s going to do it, he’ll do it. Like I said, I’ll wait up till midnight although he come later knowing hm.” “Lovely…” I said. *    *    * True to her word Fluttershy stayed up until midnight but Dae had yet to appear. I was hoping that he just forgot but, right around 1am Dae showed up and in my bedroom of all places! I jumped about a foot in the air out of my bed when I saw him. “Yup,” I thought, “not creepy at all…” “Hi!” Dae said. “You really creep me out,” I said, “did you have to appear in my bedroom?” “Maybe,” said Dae, “maybe not, so sorry to startle you, my lady…”  “Excuse me?” I said. My eye twitched at the thought of being Dae’s girlfriend. I then handed Dae the crystal that had Queen Chrysalis in it.  “Here you go,” I said, “one Queen Chrysalis, on the house, now will you get out of here so I can sleep?” “Oh boy,” said Dae, “someone’s grumpy, okay I guess I need to take care of this sooner rather than later.” “Yeah,” I said, “you do that, goodnight!” Dae left and then I rolled over and went to sleep.